A Manhattan neurologist has been accused of sexually abusing two patients during what prosecutors say were unauthorized massages in a closed examination room.
Dr. Tariq Lamki, 51, was indicted this week in connection with the alleged incidents at his practice, 14th Street Medical Arts, near Stuyvesant Town–Peter Cooper Village, the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office announced Tuesday.
According to prosecutors, the alleged assaults involved two women, ages 32 and 23, and occurred within a little more than a week in August and September.
The first incident allegedly occurred on Aug. 25, after the patient sought treatment for a migraine and dizziness. The indictment says Lamki instructed the 32-year-old woman to lie on her back on the examination table, telling her it would help “relieve physical stress.”
Prosecutors allege that Lamki then touched her body inappropriately, including her intimate areas. The woman eventually managed to overpower him and sit up, according to court documents.
Afterward, Lamki allegedly offered to visit the woman at her home to give her massages outside of his regular work hours, prosecutors said.
A second alleged incident took place Sept. 2. Prosecutors say Lamki brought the 23-year-old patient into an examination room and began massaging her back before touching her buttocks and placing his hands beneath her skirt.
The woman tried to get up but was unable to do so because, prosecutors allege, Lamki’s weight was on top of her.
The indictment says Lamki then told her to lie on her back, grabbed her breasts and continued touching her intimate areas.
The alleged abuse ended after Lamki helped the patient sit upright and recommended that she consider using a “vaginal wand” to address neurological pain, prosecutors said.
Prosecutors say the patient recorded the encounter. In the recording, she can reportedly be heard swatting at Lamki and telling him that her pain was “not there” as the alleged abuse continued.
Lamki faces two counts each of first-degree sexual abuse, forcible touching and third-degree sexual abuse.
He pleaded not guilty before Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Cori Weston, who set bail at $25,000, according to court records. Prosecutors had requested $100,000 in cash bail.
“A doctor’s appointment should never end in sexual abuse,” Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said in a statement. He added that the investigation remains ongoing and urged anyone who believes they were assaulted by a doctor to contact the office’s Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Bureau at 212-335-4308.
Lamki’s attorney, George Vomvolakis, and 14th Street Medical Arts did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
If convicted of first-degree sexual abuse, Lamki could face a maximum sentence of seven years in prison.
He is scheduled to return to court on Jan. 20.